Modi visits IIOJK, first since revoking special status

A complete shutdown is being observed in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir today (Thursday) as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the disputed territory for the first time since its special status was revoked back in 2019.

Call for the strike has been given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, as per Kashmir Media Service, and it is supported by all Hurriyat leaders and organizations.

Modi reached in Srinagar early on Thursday to participate in the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ program, where he is set to unveil numerous development projects valued at over INR6,400 crore.

His Bharatiya Janata Party will mobilise thousands of people to attend the event amid tight security, as Modi is also expected to address a public rally at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, BBC reported.

Stringent security measures were in place for the event, although there were no restrictions on people’s movement, an official told Hindustan Times.

However, KMS claimed that over 700 youths have been arrested during the ongoing crackdowns and raids by the Indian army and police in Srinagar and other districts of the Kashmir valley ahead of Modi’s arrival and the area has been turned into a fortress on Modi’s visit.

“Srinagar city has been declared as “Temporary Red Zone” for the operation of drones and quadcopters, as per provisions of Rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021 with immediate effect,” wrote District Police Srinagar in a post on X – formally known as Twitter.

Kashmir’s special status

By revoking part of the Indian constitution that allowed IIOJK special status had been a poll promise and Modi’s government announced the move soon after he won re-election in 2019.

Article 370 had granted significant autonomy to the disputed territory between Pakistan and India, including the right to have its own flag, legislature, constitution and laws.

The move allowed the government to divide the only Muslim-majority state in India. Its 12 million people are now divided into two federally-administered territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and remote, mountainous Ladakh.